Their friend Stuart Eaton, 21, of Laburnum Road, Rudheath, admitted drunk and disorderly behaviour after hurling abuse at locals who remonstrated with the trio.

The court heard they had been out drinking on Friday, October 13. Bestall and Crossthwaite climbed over the memorial's 5ft railings to stand a 'For Sale' sign they had picked up against the statue, which knocked off the arm when the wind caught it.

Prosecuting, Karen Morgan Read said: 'The three admitted they were drunk and apologised for their actions, which were even more regrettable because they took place just weeks before Remembrance Sunday.'

Defending Crossthwaite and Bestall, Chris Johnson said: 'They behaved carelessly. Silly things seem funny when people are drunk and this was certainly silly but neither had any intention to damage the statue.

'Had people seen the sign the next morning with no damage done, though some people might have been offended, I would think most would have given a wry smile and thought what a silly thing it was to have done.'